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We’ve contributed $495m towards ending malaria in Nigeria – US

The United States has contributed $495m for malaria control
in Nigeria since 2011, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, has
said.

Symingyon disclosed this in a piece, titled ‘US salutes
health champions in Nigeria leading efforts to end malaria, to commemorate the
World Malaria Day.

He said, “On World Malaria Day, the United States is proud
to recognise our partnership with Nigeria and support your fight to beat this
deadly disease.

“We salute all Nigeria’s health champions — from health
workers to mothers, pharmacists to drivers, journalists to researchers,
teachers to warehouse managers — and all those working to end malaria.”

He said the global community had achieved remarkable
success, adding that malaria mortality had been cut by half in sub-Saharan
Africa, with over seven million lives saved since 2000.

Symingyon said, “In Nigeria, the United States has
contributed $495m for malaria control since the US President’s Malaria
Initiative began in 2011, distributing more than 26 million long-lasting
insecticidal bed nets, 23 million malaria rapid diagnostic test kits, 52
million treatment courses, and 14 million doses of medication to prevent
malaria in pregnancy.

“As we commemorate World Malaria Day on April 25, we
celebrate this success. As the world’s leading donor in global health, the
United States is committed to working with our partners to intensify efforts to
end malaria for good.”

According to him, fighting malaria is a smart investment to
protect health, create opportunity, and foster growth and security worldwide.

The US envoy said, “Countries are best positioned to beat
malaria with strong partnerships behind them. Since 2011, PMI, led by the US
Agency for International Development and implemented together with the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has partnered with Nigeria to
support their fight against malaria.

“PMI’s transformative programmes in Nigeria leverage and
strengthen national leadership, resources, and systems to deliver life-saving
interventions more effectively and promote enduring malaria control gains.

“This World Malaria Day, we are proud to reaffirm the commitment
of the United States to continuing this global progress and ending malaria in
Nigeria. And I extend our hand in partnership to all of those who will join us.
Zero malaria starts with me, you, and everyone working together for a more
prosperous and healthy future for all.”

It would seem from available accounts that the earliest form of Western-style
health care in Nigeria was provided by doctors brought by explorers and traders
to cater for their own well being.[2] The services were not available to the
indigenes.